Water Parameters

[AustriIQPlays]

Hi everyone. I got a 15 gal tank with an 8 gal sump. Tank is over crowded and i know its bad im planning to dispose the skunks i got.
sump contains mechanical filters, protein skimmer, LR only.
my tank has an HOB.

ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate is too high

im using NSW from local pet store, i tested a new NSW last night and it was high on nitrates too.
what can i do to lower this. is a 50% water change, filter cleanup enough? ill dispose the fish later today.

 

[Reef.]

You don’t even say what the nitrate level is?

 

[Fish Fan]

It seems to me that if there's "high" nitrates (you didn't say what it is) in the water you're getting from your fish store, have you considered making your own water? For a 15 gallon tank, you can use distilled water from any grocery store, pharmacy, or Mega-Lo-Mart. About a dollar a gallon, two or three gallons a week for top up water and making saltwater. You'll nee a five gallon bucket, and ideal a small heater and a circulation pump. You'll also need salt mix and a refractometer or similar (which you should have even if you're buying saltwater).

EDIT: I give up trying to post a link to the distilled water. I can't seem to post working links here anymore. Maybe the Mods are trying to tell me something.

 

[AustriIQPlays]

You don’t even say what the nitrate level is?

i cant identify because im not sure what color it was but it was between 40 and 80

 

[Fish Fan]

Does the fish store where you buy your water do water testing? Will they test your water?

 

[AustriIQPlays]

It seems to me that if there's "high" nitrates (you didn't say what it is) in the water you're getting from your fish store, have you considered making your own water? For a 15 gallon tank, you can use distilled water from any grocery store, pharmacy, or Mega-Lo-Mart. About a dollar a gallon, two or three gallons a week for top up water and making saltwater. You'll nee a five gallon bucket, and ideal a small heater and a circulation pump. You'll also need salt mix and a refractometer or similar (which you should have even if you're buying saltwater).

Distilled water at Walmart

Im considering making my own now, Its too sad here in my city actually. theres only 1 shop here selling saltmix and its too expensive. (im from the Philippines btw)
im planning to 50% change water later tonight using saltmix. i got a refractometer and my tanks salinity is 1.024

 

[AustriIQPlays]

Does the fish store where you buy your water do water testing? Will they test your water?

almost all hobbyist here in my city does not use any tests. They got refractometers but i dont think they have test kits.

 

[Fish Fan]

almost all hobbyist here in my city does not use any tests. They got refractometers but i dont think they have test kits.

I'm sorry, forgot where you're located. Fish stores in the US commonly test water if you don't have test kits.

 

[AustriIQPlays]

I'm sorry, forgot where you're located. Fish stores in the US commonly test water if you don't have test kits.

im really not that sure about my nitrates tho. im using API and theres a lot of people saying API nitrate tests are not accurate. but im certain that my nitrates is high. favia and bubble turned a little brown

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi everyone. I got a 15 gal tank with an 8 gal sump. Tank is over crowded and i know its bad im planning to dispose the skunks i got.
sump contains mechanical filters, protein skimmer, LR only.
my tank has an HOB.

ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate is too high

im using NSW from local pet store, i tested a new NSW last night and it was high on nitrates too.
what can i do to lower this. is a 50% water change, filter cleanup enough? ill dispose the fish later today.

Disregard nitrites which is frehwater specific and a concern IF sky-high. I am getting indication you are using API kit, often known for false readings and tank may be under-filtered
I encourage you to take a water sample to an LFS that does NOT use api kits and see what readings they come up with

 

[AustriIQPlays]

Disregard nitrites which is frehwater specific and a concern IF sky-high. I am getting indication you are using API kit, often known for false readings and tank may be under-filtered
I encourage you to take a water sample to an LFS that does NOT use api kits and see what readings they come up with

my sump has a filter wool, 3 mechanical filters, protein skimmer, LR, and filtersocks with act carbon.

i took a water sample from a stock of NSW i got from the LFS. and indicated high nitrates. we dont really have any other choice here about test kits. can you suggest any i can order online. LFS dont sell that here. only API.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

To answer the question, yes, a large water change will lower Nitrates. What is your target No3 level?

EDIT: Your fresh saltwater is high in No3?

 

[AustriIQPlays]

To answer the question, yes, a large water change will lower Nitrates. What is your target No3 level?

will 50% do and then follow it up with 20% a week? my target would be in any range my tank will survive. probably 5-10ppm would be great

 

[Fish Fan]

my sump has a filter wool, 3 mechanical filters, protein skimmer, LR, and filtersocks with act carbon.

i took a water sample from a stock of NSW i got from the LFS. and indicated high nitrates. we dont really have any other choice here about test kits. can you suggest any i can order online. LFS dont sell that here. only API.

I don't know who ships to your area, but the Salifert brand test are inexpensive and popular. They are also much easier to read than the tests where you have to try and match a color.

 

[AustriIQPlays]

I don't know who ships to your area, but the Salifert brand test are inexpensive and popular. They are also much easier to read than the tests where you have to try and match a color.

is it safe to say that i am not underfiltered? based on whats in my sump. HOB on my tank as well.

thanks for the brand uve mentioned. ill check it out. thank you so much sir!

 

[Sdoutreefer]

will 50% do and then follow it up with 20% a week? my target would be in any range my tank will survive. probably 5-10ppm would be great

Yes, a 50% change will cut it down quite a bit. Not sure what it maths out to be as I don’t know your No3 number, but it will reduce your No3.

How much do you feed? And what are you feeding?

 

[AustriIQPlays]

Yes, a 50% change will cut it down quite a bit. Not sure what it maths out to be as I don’t know your No3 number, but it will reduce your No3.

How much do you feed? And what are you feeding?

Since i just got this fishes. im unsure on what to feed them. i tried po1, bloodworms, brine shrimps and po2. ps. all of this i tried in different days ofc. fed them once a day in very minimal amount. that is why im very curious on what spiked my no3 the most. because i know i only fed them enough.
thats what brought me to testing my NSW stock.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Since i just got this fishes. im unsure on what to feed them. i tried po1, bloodworms, brine shrimps and po2. ps. all of this i tried in different days ofc. fed them once a day in very minimal amount. that is why im very curious on what spiked my no3 the most. because i know i only fed them enough.
thats what brought me to testing my NSW stock.

How many fish do you have?

 

[Zoalicious812]

To answer the question, yes, a large water change will lower Nitrates. What is your target No3 level?

EDIT: Your fresh saltwater is high in No3?

Hello to all, I’d recommend using Salifert tests, pretty easy to use and read. Can order those on Amazon and get those quickly generally speaking. Nitrate, phosphates, calcium, alk, and mag may be helpful

 

[AustriIQPlays]

How many fish do you have?

12. im afraid im getting lashed because of this. lol pls note that they are half an inch small and i know its not good for the tank. im getting rid of some tonight.